Lesson Overview
Topic
The New Shopping Centre — Mia and her dad visit the new mall. The map shows where each shop is. Mia has a list and needs to find everything before the centre closes!
Level
A1–A2
Duration
90 minutes
Skills
Reading · Listening · Speaking · Writing (+ Vocabulary + Grammar)
Grammar
General prepositions of place: next to · opposite · between · in front of · behind · above · below · near — plus revision of at / in / on
Vocabulary
10 words — A1-A2: shop · map · lift · escalator · exit · sign · floor · queue · counter · entrance
Most already known. Lesson focus is on prepositions.
Most already known. Lesson focus is on prepositions.
Materials
Student Handouts 1–6 (printed); whiteboard; this plan
Key Grammar — Teaching Notes
The Eight General Prepositions of Place
next to / beside — directly at the side of something: The café is next to the bookshop.
opposite — directly across from: The pharmacy is opposite the café.
between — in the middle of two things: The lift is between the café and the bookshop. (always between X and Y)
in front of — before something, facing it: There is a bench in front of the entrance.
behind — at the back of something: The car park is behind the shopping centre.
above — higher than, but not touching: The sign is above the door.
below — lower than: The car park is below ground level.
near — close to, but not directly at the side: The bus stop is near the entrance.
Key contrast: next to vs near vs opposite
next to = directly beside (touching or very close) · near = in the same area (not necessarily touching) · opposite = directly across
between always takes two reference points: between X and Y — never just between X.
Before the Lesson
Print one copy of Handouts 1–6. Keep the Teacher Plan separate.
Quick revision of AT/IN/ON from previous lessons: "Where is the cat? Where is the library?" Students answer automatically.
Lead-in: Draw a simple street on the board with 4 shops. "Where is the café? It is next to the bookshop. The pharmacy is opposite." Introduce all 8 prepositions with the diagram before students open handouts.
Concept check for tricky ones:
— in front of: "You stand here. The door is in front of you — you face it." (different from before in time!)
— above / below: vertical axis. "The sign is above the door. The basement is below the ground floor."
— between: always needs two things — "between the café AND the bookshop"
— in front of: "You stand here. The door is in front of you — you face it." (different from before in time!)
— above / below: vertical axis. "The sign is above the door. The basement is below the ground floor."
— between: always needs two things — "between the café AND the bookshop"
Vocabulary note: most words are A1. Only escalator and counter are A2. 5 minutes maximum on vocabulary.
Lesson Procedure
Time
Stage
Skill
Teacher does
Students do
0–6 min
Lead-in
Speaking
Draw street on board. Introduce all 8 preps with diagram. Quick revision of AT/IN/ON.
Answer where each shop is. Revise AT/IN/ON automatically.
6–13 min
Vocabulary
—
5–7 minutes. Most words A1. Part B gap-fill.
Part A: quick check. Part B: gap-fill.
13–40 min
Grammar
—
8 prepositions → shopping centre map → key contrasts → AT/IN/ON revision → exercises 1–5.
Study map. Exercises 1–5. Pair-check.
40–52 min
Reading
Reading
Gist: "Where is each shop Mia needs to find?" Underline all place prepositions. Tasks 1 and 2.
Read Mia's shopping guide. Questions. T/F/NG.
52–65 min
Listening
Listening
Context: "Mia and her dad navigate the shopping centre." Read TWICE.
1st: MCQ. 2nd: notes. Compare.
65–78 min
Speaking
Speaking
Map description game + describe your classroom. Monitor all 8 prepositions.
Describe a map. Give directions. Discussion.
78–90 min
Writing
Writing
60–80 words, all 8 prepositions, 4 vocab words.
Write a shopping centre guide. Self-check.
Teaching Notes by Handout
Handout 2 — Grammar
The shopping centre map is the key tool — it forces all 8 prepositions in a dense, natural context. Students describe locations relative to each other, which is exactly how these prepositions work.
Spend time on the contrast triad: next to / near / opposite. These are the most commonly confused. A simple board diagram works well: draw three shops across from each other and discuss.
Between is often used without the second reference point — "between the café" → "between the café and the bookshop". Drill this explicitly.
The AT/IN/ON revision section keeps the previous learning active and shows how the two sets of prepositions work together in real descriptions.
Handout 3 — Reading
Mia's shopping guide — she describes where each item on her list is. Rich in all 8 prepositions plus AT/IN/ON. T/F/NG: 1 T · 2 F (the bookshop is opposite the café, not next to it) · 3 T · 4 NG · 5 T.
Handout 4 — Listening
Mia and her dad navigate the centre. Task 1: 1-B (the pharmacy is between the café and the exit, not next to the bookshop) · 2-C (the sign above the door says "Welcome to Greenfield Mall") · 3-A (Mia finds the bookshop opposite the café, next to the lift). Task 2: (1) next to the lift · (2) opposite the café · (3) between the café and the exit · (4) above the door · (5) behind the escalator / near the exit.
Listening Script — 'Where Do We Go First?'
Read aloud twice at a clear A1–A2 pace. Do not show to students during the tasks.
Mia:
Dad! The shopping centre is so big! Where do we go first?
Dad:
Look at the map near the entrance. What is on your list?
Mia:
First, I need a book. Is there a bookshop?
Dad:
Yes — it is on the ground floor, opposite the café. And next to the lift.
Mia:
Perfect. And I need shoes. Where is the shoe shop?
Dad:
On the first floor. Go up the escalator — the shoe shop is in front of the escalator when you get to the top.
Mia:
Look at that sign above the door! "Welcome to Greenfield Mall." I love it!
Dad:
Focus, Mia. What else is on the list?
Mia:
Mum needs medicine from the pharmacy. Where is it?
Dad:
The pharmacy is between the café and the exit — on the ground floor. Easy to find.
Mia:
What about the food shop? I want to buy something for dinner.
Dad:
The food shop is behind the escalator, near the exit. Come on — let's start at the bookshop!
Prepositions in the script:
· next to: next to the lift
· opposite: opposite the café
· between: between the café and the exit
· in front of: in front of the escalator
· behind: behind the escalator
· above: above the door
· near: near the entrance / near the exit
· at/in/on: on the ground floor / on the first floor / at the top / in front of
· next to: next to the lift
· opposite: opposite the café
· between: between the café and the exit
· in front of: in front of the escalator
· behind: behind the escalator
· above: above the door
· near: near the entrance / near the exit
· at/in/on: on the ground floor / on the first floor / at the top / in front of
Answer Key — click to open
Answer Key
Handout 1 — Vocabulary
Part B: 1. map 2. entrance 3. sign 4. lift 5. escalator 6. floor 7. queue 8. counter 9. exit 10. shop
Handout 2 — Grammar
Ex 1: 1. next to 2. opposite 3. between 4. in front of 5. behind 6. above 7. below 8. near 9. next to 10. between 11. opposite 12. behind
Ex 2 (map): 1. opposite the bookshop 2. next to the lift 3. between the café and the exit 4. above the entrance 5. behind the escalator 6. in front of the main entrance
Ex 3 (AT/IN/ON + general): 1. in 2. on 3. next to 4. opposite 5. between 6. above 7. in front of 8. behind
Ex 4: Accept any correct sentences using the target preposition in a place context.
Ex 5 (errors): 1. next to the bookshop (NOT next the) 2. in front of the entrance (NOT in front the) 3. between the café and the exit (needs both reference points) 4. opposite the café (NOT opposite to) 5. above the door (NOT over — above for position) 6. behind the escalator (NOT behind of)
Ex 2 (map): 1. opposite the bookshop 2. next to the lift 3. between the café and the exit 4. above the entrance 5. behind the escalator 6. in front of the main entrance
Ex 3 (AT/IN/ON + general): 1. in 2. on 3. next to 4. opposite 5. between 6. above 7. in front of 8. behind
Ex 4: Accept any correct sentences using the target preposition in a place context.
Ex 5 (errors): 1. next to the bookshop (NOT next the) 2. in front of the entrance (NOT in front the) 3. between the café and the exit (needs both reference points) 4. opposite the café (NOT opposite to) 5. above the door (NOT over — above for position) 6. behind the escalator (NOT behind of)
Handout 3 — Reading
Task 1: 1. On the ground floor, opposite the café and next to the lift. 2. On the first floor, in front of the escalator. 3. Between the café and the exit. 4. Behind the escalator, near the exit. 5. Because the centre closes at eight and she has a long list.
Task 2 (T/F/NG): 1 T 2 F (opposite the café) 3 T 4 NG 5 T
Task 2 (T/F/NG): 1 T 2 F (opposite the café) 3 T 4 NG 5 T
Handout 4 — Listening
Task 1: 1-B 2-C 3-A
Task 2: (1) next to the lift (2) opposite the café (3) between the café and the exit (4) above the door (5) behind the escalator / near the exit
Task 2: (1) next to the lift (2) opposite the café (3) between the café and the exit (4) above the door (5) behind the escalator / near the exit
The New Shopping Centre
Student Handouts
Handout 1
Vocabulary
VocabularyPart A — Key Words
Word
What it means
shop
a place where you buy things — the shopping centre has many shops
map
a plan that shows you where everything is — Mia looks at the map near the entrance
lift
a machine that carries you between floors — the lift is next to the bookshop
escalator
moving stairs — the escalator takes you from the ground floor to the first floor
exit
the way out — the exit is at the end of the ground floor corridor
sign
a board with information or a name — there is a sign above the main entrance
floor
a level of a building — the bookshop is on the ground floor
queue
a line of people waiting — there is a long queue in front of the new café
counter
the desk or table where you pay or ask for help in a shop
entrance
the way in — the map is near the entrance on the right
Part B — Fill in the Gaps
1.Mia looks at the __________________ near the entrance — she wants to find the bookshop.
2.The shopping centre has one main __________________ — a big glass door at the front.
3.There is a large __________________ above the entrance that says "Welcome to Greenfield Mall".
4.The __________________ is next to the bookshop — Mia takes it to the first floor.
5.The __________________ takes you from the ground floor to the first floor — it moves on its own.
6.The bookshop is on the ground __________________ — you do not need the lift or escalator.
7.There is a long __________________ in front of the new café — people wait for a table.
8.Mia goes to the __________________ in the bookshop to pay for her book.
9.The __________________ is at the end of the ground floor — go there to leave the building.
10.The food __________________ is behind the escalator, near the exit.
Handout 2
Grammar
GrammarEight General Prepositions of Place
NEXT TO / BESIDE
Directly at the side of something — touching or very close.
The café is next to the bookshop. · The lift is beside the entrance.
Directly at the side of something — touching or very close.
The café is next to the bookshop. · The lift is beside the entrance.
OPPOSITE
Directly across from something — facing it.
The pharmacy is opposite the café. · The exit is opposite the entrance.
⚠️ Say opposite the café — NOTopposite to the café
Directly across from something — facing it.
The pharmacy is opposite the café. · The exit is opposite the entrance.
⚠️ Say opposite the café — NOT
BETWEEN
In the middle of two things. Always use: between X and Y.
The lift is between the café and the bookshop. · She stands between her mum and her dad.
⚠️ Always: between X and Y — never justbetween X
In the middle of two things. Always use: between X and Y.
The lift is between the café and the bookshop. · She stands between her mum and her dad.
⚠️ Always: between X and Y — never just
IN FRONT OF
Before something, facing it.
There is a bench in front of the entrance. · The queue is in front of the café.
Before something, facing it.
There is a bench in front of the entrance. · The queue is in front of the café.
BEHIND
At the back of something.
The car park is behind the shopping centre. · The food shop is behind the escalator.
At the back of something.
The car park is behind the shopping centre. · The food shop is behind the escalator.
ABOVE / BELOW
Above = higher than, but not touching. · Below = lower than.
The sign is above the door. · The car park is below the shopping centre.
Above = higher than, but not touching. · Below = lower than.
The sign is above the door. · The car park is below the shopping centre.
NEAR
Close to, but not directly beside.
The bus stop is near the entrance. · The food shop is near the exit.
near = in the same area · next to = directly beside · opposite = directly across
Close to, but not directly beside.
The bus stop is near the entrance. · The food shop is near the exit.
near = in the same area · next to = directly beside · opposite = directly across
The Shopping Centre Map
Study the map of Greenfield Mall. Use it to answer the exercises.
Ground Floor
Ground Floor
Ground Floor
☕ Café
🔼 Lift & Escalator
📚 Bookshop
💊 Pharmacy
← corridor →
🚪 Exit
🛒 Food shop
🚶 Entrance
Sign: above the entrance
Queue: in front of the café
Car park: below the building
Queue: in front of the café
Car park: below the building
Exercise 1 — Choose the Correct Preposition
Write the correct preposition from the box.
next to · opposite · between · in front of · behind · above · below · near
1.The bookshop is __________________ the lift.
2.The bookshop is __________________ the café.
3.The pharmacy is __________________ the café and the exit.
4.There is a long queue __________________ the café.
5.The food shop is __________________ the escalator.
6.The sign "Welcome to Greenfield Mall" is __________________ the entrance.
7.The car park is __________________ the shopping centre.
8.The bus stop is __________________ the entrance — just outside.
9.The lift is __________________ the escalator.
10.The pharmacy is __________________ the café and the exit.
11.The café is __________________ the bookshop.
12.The food shop is __________________ the escalator.
Exercise 2 — Describe the Map
Look at the shopping centre map above. Complete each sentence.
1.The café is __________________ .
2.The bookshop is __________________ .
3.The pharmacy is __________________ .
4.The "Welcome" sign is __________________ .
5.The food shop is __________________ .
6.The queue is __________________ .
Exercise 3 — All Place Prepositions Together
Write at / in / on or a general preposition.
1.The bookshop is _____ the ground floor.
2.The shoe shop is _____ the first floor.
3.The bookshop is _____ the lift.
4.The café is _____ the bookshop.
5.The pharmacy is _____ the café and the exit.
6.The sign is _____ the entrance.
7.There is a long queue _____ the café.
8.The food shop is _____ the escalator.
Exercise 4 — Write Your Own Sentences
Write one sentence for each preposition. Use a place you know.
NEXT TO ___________________________________________________________________________
OPPOSITE ___________________________________________________________________________
BETWEEN (remember: between X and Y)
___________________________________________________________________________
IN FRONT OF ___________________________________________________________________________
BEHIND ___________________________________________________________________________
ABOVE ___________________________________________________________________________
BELOW ___________________________________________________________________________
NEAR ___________________________________________________________________________
Exercise 5 — Find and Correct the Error
Each sentence has ONE mistake.
1. "The bookshop is next the lift — on the ground floor."
Corrected: ___________________________________________________________________
2. "There is a long queue in front the entrance."
Corrected: ___________________________________________________________________
3. "The pharmacy is between the café — on the ground floor."
Corrected: ___________________________________________________________________
4. "The café is opposite to the bookshop."
Corrected: ___________________________________________________________________
5. "The sign is over the door — you can see it from outside."
Corrected: ___________________________________________________________________
6. "The food shop is behind of the escalator."
Corrected: ___________________________________________________________________
Handout 3
Reading
ReadingMia's Shopping Guide — Greenfield Mall
Arrival
We arrive at the shopping centre at two o'clock. The entrance is at the front of the building. There is a big sign above the entrance: "Welcome to Greenfield Mall." Near the entrance, on the right, there is a map on the wall. I study it before we go in. Dad says we must finish before the centre closes at eight.
Ground floor
The bookshop is on the ground floor, opposite the café. The lift is next to the bookshop, between the bookshop and the café. I buy my book and then we go to the pharmacy. It is between the café and the exit. The food shop is behind the escalator, near the exit. There is a long queue in front of the café — people wait for a table.
First floor
I need shoes. We take the escalator to the first floor. At the top, the shoe shop is in front of the escalator. I find my shoes at the counter and we pay. Below us, on the ground floor, we can see the café and the bookshop. It is a beautiful view! We leave by the main exit. Behind the shopping centre, there is a big car park. Our car is there.
After reading: Underline every place preposition. How many different prepositions can you find?
Task 1 — Answer the Questions
Write full sentences.
1.Where is the bookshop?
Answer: ___________________________________________________________________
2.Where is the shoe shop?
Answer: ___________________________________________________________________
3.Where is the pharmacy?
Answer: ___________________________________________________________________
4.Where is the food shop?
Answer: ___________________________________________________________________
5.Why must Mia finish quickly?
Answer: ___________________________________________________________________
Task 2 — True / False / Not Given
Write T, F or NG.
1.There is a sign above the entrance of the shopping centre.[ T / F / NG ]
2.The bookshop is next to the café.[ T / F / NG ]
3.The lift is between the bookshop and the café.[ T / F / NG ]
4.The shopping centre has three floors.[ T / F / NG ]
5.The car park is behind the shopping centre.[ T / F / NG ]
Handout 4
Listening
ListeningListen to Mia and her dad in the shopping centre. Your teacher will read the dialogue twice.
Task 1 — Choose the Correct Answer
Circle A, B or C.
1. Where is the pharmacy?
A. Next to the bookshop, on the ground floor
B. Between the café and the exit
C. Behind the escalator, near the entrance
2. What is above the door?
A. The timetable for the shopping centre
B. A clock that shows the time
C. A sign that says "Welcome to Greenfield Mall"
3. Where is the bookshop?
A. On the ground floor, opposite the café, next to the lift
B. On the first floor, in front of the escalator
C. Between the pharmacy and the exit
Task 2 — Complete the Notes
Write ONE, TWO or THREE words for each gap.
Mia's Shopping Centre Map — Notes
1.
Bookshop: on ground floor / __________________ (next to the escalator)
2.
Bookshop is also: __________________ (not next to the bookshop)
3.
Shoe shop: __________________ / __________________ (turn right at top)
4.
Sign: __________________ — says "Welcome to Greenfield Mall"
5.
Food shop: __________________ / __________________ (easy to find from escalator)
Handout 5
Speaking
SpeakingTask A — The Map Game
Work in pairs. Draw your own simple shopping centre map — 6 shops in different positions. Describe it to your partner. Your partner draws it from your description only — no looking!
Use these prepositions to describe your map:
"The café is next to the bookshop."
"The pharmacy is opposite the café."
"The lift is between the bookshop and the café."
"The exit is behind the escalator."
"There is a sign above the entrance."
"The food shop is near the exit."
Then compare your maps — how close is your partner's version?
"The café is next to the bookshop."
"The pharmacy is opposite the café."
"The lift is between the bookshop and the café."
"The exit is behind the escalator."
"There is a sign above the entrance."
"The food shop is near the exit."
Then compare your maps — how close is your partner's version?
Task B — Describe Your Classroom
Use next to · opposite · between · in front of · behind · above · below · near to describe where everything is in your classroom right now.
Card A — Describe
- "The board is in front of the class."
- "The teacher's desk is next to the board."
- "I sit between [name] and [name]."
- "The door is opposite the window."
- "The clock is above the board."
- "My bag is behind my chair."
- "The bin is near the door."
Card B — Ask and Check
- "Where is the board?"
- "What is next to the teacher's desk?"
- "Who do you sit between?"
- "What is opposite the door?"
- "What is above the board?"
- "Where is your bag?"
Then swap — Card B describes.
Task C — Discussion
Talk in groups of three.
1.Think of a place you know well — a shop, a café, your home. Describe where things are using all eight prepositions: next to · opposite · between · in front of · behind · above · below · near.
2.Mia needs to find everything before the centre closes. Do you like shopping centres? What is usually opposite the entrance? What is always above the main doors? What is usually behind a shopping centre?
3.Describe your ideal shopping centre. Where is each shop? The café is between… The food shop is next to… The cinema is above… Use as many place prepositions as you can.
Handout 6
Writing
WritingTask — A Guide to My Shopping Centre
The task: Write a short guide to a real or imaginary shopping centre. Describe where each shop and area is. Use all eight general prepositions plus at / in / on.
Word count: 60–80 words
Word count: 60–80 words
Your text must include all eight general prepositions:
next to opposite between in front of behind above below near
Plus at least FOUR vocabulary words from Handout 1
next to opposite between in front of behind above below near
Plus at least FOUR vocabulary words from Handout 1
Helpful structure:
"Welcome to [name]! The entrance is at the front…"
"The [shop] is on the [floor], next to / opposite / between…"
"Above the entrance you can see… Behind the centre there is…"
"Welcome to [name]! The entrance is at the front…"
"The [shop] is on the [floor], next to / opposite / between…"
"Above the entrance you can see… Behind the centre there is…"
Write a title for your text.
Self-check: [ ] 60–80 words [ ] next to [ ] opposite [ ] between X and Y [ ] in front of [ ] behind [ ] above [ ] below [ ] near [ ] 4 vocab [ ] Title